Every year, the increase in interest of management education is witnessed through an increase in the number of attendees for national management exams like CAT, MAT etc. But what concerns most aspirants is knowing the right difference and what to choose between an MBA and PGDM. Let’s get a clear view of the difference in points.
To elaborate MBA which stands for Master of Business Administration is a degree course offered by universities and approved by UGC (University Grant Commission).
Whereas PGDM stands for Post-Graduation Diploma in Management is a PG diploma course offered by the autonomous institutions and approved by AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education), Ministry of HRD, and Govt of India. There are very few colleges that are not autonomous and are still offering AICTE PGDM.
Although PGDM is a PG diploma course, it is considered equivalent to an MBA degree in industry standards.
For MBA, the curriculum is developed by the university and syllabus will be revised once every 3 or 4 years. MBA offers extensive theoretical knowledge of management concepts, developing technical skills and will be exam oriented. At its core, the MBA degree syllabus will be more or less same if it is offered by different colleges affiliated to same university.
In PGDM, the autonomous institute changes curriculum based on industrial requirements and trends. Thus, PGDM courses have flexibility in the curriculum. Generally, PGDM focuses on developing practical skills and real industry-oriented management case studies in budding managers.
The course duration of both the full time MBA and PGDM would be 2 years. The PGDM exam would be organized by the respective individual institutes offering the courses. Whereas MBA exam is conducted by the respective affiliated university.The course duration of both the full time MBA and PGDM would be 2 years. The PGDM exam would be organized by the respective individual institutes offering the courses. Whereas MBA exam is conducted by the respective affiliated university.
The course expenses of MBA degree are comparatively cheaper compared to PGDM. Because MBA degree were approved by government universities. There are a few exceptions where the college offers MBA programmes with high tuition fees. It solely depends on the reputation of the college, quality of education, infrastructure facilities etc.
To get into MBA, you need to pass exams accepted by the affiliated university. Thiagarajar School of Management considers TANCET score (state level examination), CAT, MAT for MBA admission.
For PGDM, only CAT and MAT score is accepted in TSM and most top management colleges.
The admission process of CAT, MAT exams process for MBA and PGDM includes Group Discussion and Personal Interview.
Whereas for admission through TANCET process is based on counselling conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education, Tamil Nadu.
In terms of job opportunities in corporate standard, both MBA and PGDM are considered as equivalent degree. What matters most in management degrees is completion from a well reputed college. Because the college will make you industry ready and provide you opportunities to land your dream job.
Now that you get the clear understanding of difference between PGDM and MBA, we hope that you take the right decision, prepare well for the right entrance examination and explore your post graduate management education in right college. We wish you all the best for a great career ahead!